25-05-2025
Business leaders welcome hotel jobs boost to town centre
Business leaders in Dorchester have welcomed plans for a 102-bedroom hotel in the town centre.
This follows news that Whitbread PLC, the owner of Premier Inn, secured planning permission from Dorset Council to build a new hotel on South Street at the former Marks & Spencer store in Dorchester Town Centre.
The company says around 30 permanent jobs will be created, with recruitment focused in Dorchester and the surrounding area.
Welcoming the news, Phil Gordon, project director at the Dorchester BID said: 'I'm thoroughly delighted about the news. It all went a bit quiet after the original prospect of a second Premier Inn hotel in the town but having heard the news, I'm delighted for the town and the injection into the arm of the Dorchester economy.
CGI mock-up of the Premier Inn plans (Image: Whitbread) 'However many jobs are created as a hotel will be fantastic, but then there is the whole run-up, the demolition, the construction- a lot of people will be in the town and hopefully this will encourage people to spend within the town outside working hours.
'I've spoken to many business owners over the last year and there is a genuine excitement, especially from the businesses that are close by potentially seeing it as a great opportunity.
'There's nothing not to get excited about. It was a very sad day when the M&S closed as the building was in a bad state. It will be fantastic to see the carefully designed lines harmonise the town centre.'
Steve Bulley, president for the Dorchester Chamber of Business added: "The Dorchester Chamber for Business is delighted to hear that the former Marks and Spencer building will get a new lease as a Premier Inn.
"This development with create much needed local jobs and bring visitor spending into Dorchester town centre and Brewery Square.
"Our members have been overwhelmingly supportive of the planning application and are pleased to see Dorset Council taking a proactive approach with its approval."
Whitbread launched its plans for the South Street hotel in summer 2023, holding a public exhibition at the former Marks & Spencer store in early September 2023 in a bid to engage the local community and relevant stakeholders through digital channels before being submitted in May 2024.
